File No. 2151/215.
The Secretary of State to
the French Ambassador.1
Department of State
Washington, October 9,
1908.
My Dear Mr. Ambassador: I beg to inclose
herewith this Government’s reply to the memorandum left at the
department on September 14, by Mr. des Portes, setting forth the views
of your Government regarding the state of affairs in Morocco growing out
of the defeat of the forces of the Sultan Abd el Aziz by his successor
Mulai Hafid.
An identic memorandum is to-day sent to the chargé d’affaires ad interim
of Spain as a reply to the memorandum submitted by him in behalf of the
Spanish Government.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Memorandum to the French Embassy.
Department of State
Washington, October 9,
1908.
The Government of the United States has taken due note of the
memorandum transmitted to the department on September 14, 1908, by
the French Embassy at Washington, in which are set forth the views
which the Governments of France and Spain entertain in accord
concerning the recognition of Mulai Hafid as Sultan of Morocco, and
the guaranty which should first be obtained from the new Maghzen
The Government of the United States having carefully considered the
observations submitted by the French memorandum, as well as by a
similar memorandum from the Spanish Government received through its
legation at Washington, is now prepared to announce its readiness to
assent to the recognition of Mulai Hafid in general terms, without
undertaking to express views as to minor points of difference
concerning which the directly interested powers may not have reached
an accord, but provided that substantial guaranties shall be given
by Mulai Hafid of his purpose and ability to accept and discharge
all
[Page 648]
conventional
obligations incurred by former sovereigns of Morocco, as well those
of the Algeciras act as those growing out of treaty rights and
international law, so that the interests of the United States and
its citizens in Morocco shall rest on equal footing with those of
other nations.
